International and Community Nutrition Commons^™

Vitamin A Status, Anthropometric Measurements, And Food Practices Of Women Of Childbearing Age And Their Preschool Children In Northeast Brazil, Susan Ahlstrom Henderson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Vitamin A nutrition status was evaluated in 110 pairs of women and their preschool children at rural health posts in two different ecological regions of Northeast Brazil. Serum retinol and carotene, weight, height, tricep skinfold and mid-arm circumference were measured from each mother and child. Nutrition knowledge of mothers, socioeconomic living conditions and consumption of retinol and carotene food sources were assessed.

Nine children (8 percent) and one mother had less than acceptable serum retinol (less than 20 μg/dl). Additionally, 21 percent of the children and six percent of the mothers had "low" serum carotene levels. Thirty-seven percent and 57 …